Sectional modular system for making sanitary plumbing fixtures

ABSTRACT

A sectional modular system for making sanitary plumbing fixtures includes: one or more base components which are designed to be placed in a wall in a built-in position and to be put in fluid communication with one another and/or with a water distribution line; at least one removable component such as a mixer, associated in fluid communication with the base component and a support and centering structure for supporting two or more base components; advantageously, each base component includes a body divided into a first water chamber and at least four additional water chambers.

The present invention relates to a sectional modular system for makingsanitary plumbing fixtures according to the preamble of claim 1

Reference will be specially made hereinafter to sanitary plumbingsystems, but it shall be understood that, as used herein, the termsanitary plumbing systems will be used to designate the fixturesrequired to ensure feeding and proper delivery of water to a shower, asink, a wash basin and/or other water delivery points in a bathroom, akitchen, a laundry and the like.

In recent times, sanitary fixtures, and particularly those used inshowers or tub sets, have been increasing their complexity. This isbecause, in addition to simple water delivery through one outlet orshower head, these fixtures may have multiple water delivery outlets(e.g. front and upper outlets or rinsing spray sets) adapted to beactivated selectively and/or in various combinations.

Therefore, the presence of many plumbing components, such as mixers,multiple-way diverters, regulators, thermostatic regulators and the likehas evidently caused a considerable increase of the fixtures of thewater distribution network, which is generally embedded in the buildingframe.

In this respect, it should be noted that wall mounting of these plumbingmeans is somewhat troublesome, in that it requires both compliance withdistances, alignments, planarities and tolerances between the variousparts and the outer wall of the building frame and combined andsometimes substantially simultaneous work by a plumber, a mason and/oran electrician. This is because installation of these plumbingcomponents requires the steps of forming special receptacles in thewall, positioning and connecting together the components and finallyrestoring and finishing masonry units.

It shall be further considered that, for self-evident reasons, theseplumbing components shall be wall-mounted when the wall surface in whichthese plumbing components have to be embedded is still in the raw state,particularly when it has not been completed and finished yet. As aresult, during masonry works for completing and/or lining the wall, theportion of these plumbing components that juts out of the wall stands inthe way and may incur damages due to accidental impacts with tools andmasonry debris or to contact with the wall finishing raw materials.

The above clearly shows that a need exists, in the field of sanitaryplumbing fixtures, for plumbing components that allow easier and fasterinstallation and more accurate positioning, and avoid the risk ofdamages thereto during wall finishing masonry works.

Furthermore, it shall be noted that, due to such increased complexityand figurative differentiation of sanitary plumbing fixtures, themanufacturers of such plumbing components must manufacture and keep instock a huge number of components per collection, each with differentstructural and/or functional features.

Therefore, the need is strongly felt by the manufacturers of theseplumbing components to minimize the number of component variants to bemanufactured and kept in stock, without losing competitiveness to theircustomers concerning the offer of types and designs of products in thevarious collections in stock.

The present invention is based on the problem of providing a sectionalmodular system for making sanitary plumbing fixtures, that has suchstructural and functional characteristics as to fulfill the above needs,while obviating the above prior art drawbacks.

This problem is solved by a sectional modular system for making sanitaryplumbing fixtures as defined in the features of claim 1.

The solution is to create built-in parts substantially common to variousapplications, i.e. designed to be prearranged for use in differentmodes/configurations, and to interface with external parts that, inspite of their different structural and functional characteristics, caninterface in the same manner, i.e. interchangeably, with the commonbuilt-in part, thereby affording a considerable reduction of the numberof components to be manufactured.

Further features and advantages of the sectional modular system formaking sanitary plumbing fixtures of this invention will be apparentupon reading the following description of a few preferred embodimentsthereof, which is given by way of illustration and without limitationwith reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional perspective view of an exemplary portionof a sectional modular system of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a base component and aremovable component of the sectional modular system of the invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are partially sectional perspective views of the basecomponent of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a planar cross sectional view of the base component of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a planar cross sectional view of a different embodiment of abase component;

FIG. 7 is a partially sectional perspective view of an exemplary portionof a sectional modular system of the invention according to a differentembodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a sectional modular system of the invention according to apossible implementation configuration.

Referring to the accompanying figures, numeral 1 generally designates asectional modular system for making a sanitary plumbing fixture.

The sectional modular system 1 comprises:

-   -   one or more base components 2 which are designed to be embedded        in a wall 13 or alternatively mounted to such wall in a        semirecessed or external position, and to be put in fluid        communication with each other and/or with a water distribution        line,    -   at least one removable component 3 selected from the group        comprising: a two- or more way diverter, a mixer, a mechanical        and/or motorized thermostatic mixer, a fluid shut-off valve        means, a multiple-way regulator/diverter and a water delivery        outlet with which a wash basin or tub spout, a shower head, a        rinsing spray set may be connected, and    -   a support and centering structure 4 designed to be mounted to        said wall, preferably in built-in relation, as shown, for        supporting two or more base components to ensure proper        placement and relative position thereof,    -   a support and centering structure 4 designed to be mounted to        the wall 13, preferably in built-in relation, for supporting two        or more base components 2 to ensure proper placement and mutual        spacing thereof, as well as stability of the various components        during assembly and transport.

In the sectional modular system 1:

-   -   each removable component 3 is associated in fluid communication        with a respective base component 2;    -   each removable component 3 comprises a back wall 3 b which faces        toward the base component 2 with which it is associated;    -   each removable component 3 is prearranged with rear water        passages 5 at said back wall 3 b;    -   the base components 2 comprise a body having a front wall 2 a        which is designed to face toward the back wall 2 b of their        respective removable component 3, a back wall 2 b opposite        thereto, and side walls 2 c;    -   the body of said base component 2 is divided into a plurality of        independent water chambers;    -   the front wall 2 a of the body of the base components 2 is        prearranged with front water passages 6, which are adapted to        put a respective water chamber of the base component 2 in fluid        communication with a corresponding rear water passage of a        removable component 3.

Therefore, in operation, the back wall 2 b of the box-like body liesagainst the metal plate that forms the support and centering structure4, whereas the front wall 2 a of the box-like body faces toward the backwall 3 a of the removable component associated with the particularexternal element 2.

In the illustrated embodiments, the support and centering structure 4consists of a metal supporting plate 4 which is made of a ribbed sheetand has a plurality of holes for mounting thereof to the wall 13 andespecially for allowing easy fastening of the base components 2 thereto.Otherwise, the support and centering structure 4 may be formed of aframework or other functionally similar structures.

Preferably, the support and centering structure 4 is entirely heldwithin the thickness of the wall 13 (as shown in FIG. 1), althoughembodiments may be also provided in which said support and centeringstructure is externally mounted to and may be even spaced from the wall(not shown), to accommodate piping in the space defined between saidwall and the back of said support structure.

Preferably, the base components 2 are substantially identical modularelements having engagement means for fixation to said support andcentering structure 4, namely said metal plate. For instance, saidengagement means may consist of holes or slots formed in the box-likebody and/or jutting out of it for the passage of engagement means suchas screws or the like.

As mentioned above, each water chamber of the base components isprearranged to have a respective front water passage 6 at the front wall2 a and is prearranged with lateral water passages 7 at said side walls2 c of the box-like body of the base component. Preferably, the lateralwater passages 7 of each base components are all coplanar.

With a base component 2 and a removable component 3 associated in fluidcommunication with each other, it will be understood that the frontwater passages 6 and the rear water passages 5 can be effectively usedto put the water chambers of the base component 2 in fluid communication(as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 2) with the removable component3, which may be a two- or more way diverter, a mixer, a mechanicaland/or motorized thermostatic mixer, a fluid shut-off valve means, amultiple-way regulator/diverter and a water delivery outlet with which awash basin or tub spout, a shower head, a rinsing spray set may beconnected.

It shall be noted in this respect that, according to the type of theremovable component 3 associated with a particular base component 2,only one or more water chambers of the box-like body have to be put influid communication with the particular removable component 3.

The lateral water passages 7 in the side walls 2 c of the box-like bodyof the base components 2 are designed to put the water chambers of abase component 2 in fluid communication:

-   -   with water distribution lines;    -   with the lateral water passages 7 of other base components 2        (see FIG. 9) and/or    -   with a lateral water passage 7 of a different water chamber of        the same base component 2 by means of special connection pipes.

Advantageously, while the base components 2 are designed to accomplishvarious different mixing and/or hydraulic connection tasks, they areconceived as pieces manufactured substantially in the same manner. Thisis possible because the structural characteristics of the individualbase components 2, i.e. the presence of multiple independent waterchambers each prearranged with a front water passage 6 and lateral waterpassages 7, allow them to be combined together for use in variouspositions of a plumbing fixture, and be associated in fluidcommunication with removable components 3 of different types, as well asto the water supply system or other base components 2. As mentionedabove, connection to the water supply system or other identical basecomponents 2 is established by connection pipes that engage the lateralwater passages 7 of the individual water chambers of the box-like bodyof the base components 2.

Also as mentioned above, each rear water passages 5 of each removablecomponent 3 is in fluid communication with a respective front waterpassage 6 of a water chamber of the respective base component.Preferably, this is achieved by tubular connection and sealing jointsusing a seal, preferably an O-ring seal. In short, such tubular jointsafford connection of two parts by mutual press fitting of a tubular malepart to a predetermined extent into a tubular female part, clamp screwsor screw dowels being provided to secure connection of the two tubularparts.

Advantageously, each base component 2 comprises a first water chamber 14and at least four remaining water chambers 15, each being prearranged tohave at least two lateral water passages 7 at the side walls of the bodyof the base component 2.

The first water chamber 14 and its prearrangements for the at least twolateral water passages 7 advantageously divide the body of the basecomponent 2 into a plurality of portions, each having at least one ofsaid remaining water chambers 15 therein.

Preferably, the first water chamber 14 is prearranged to have at leasttwo opposed lateral water passages 7. In the example of FIGS. 2 to 5,the first chamber 14 is prearranged to have two pairs of opposed lateralwater passages 7, which divide the body of their respective basecomponent 2 into four quadrants, each accommodating one of said fourremaining water chambers 15.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first water chamber 14 is located in the centralregion of the box-like body, which has a substantially four-sided,preferably square, parallelepipedal shape in this example, and the fourlateral water passages 7, orthogonally extend in a cross arrangementfrom said first chamber to overreach the side walls at their centerline. Therefore, the first water chamber 14 has a central positionrelative to the remaining water chambers 15.

Preferably, said remaining water chambers 15 are prearranged to have twoorthogonal lateral water passages each.

Preferably, both the first water chamber 14 and each of the remainingwater chambers 15 are prearranged to have a rear water passage 16 at theback wall 2 b of the body of their respective base component 2. Theserear passages may be conveniently used to establish a fluidcommunication with the water chambers 14 and 15 if the base component ismounted to the wall in a semirecessed position or even located externalthereto.

It shall be noted that not all the water passages of the chambers 14 and15 need to be used, and hence each base component 2 may be convenientlymanufactured with said water passages sealed by removable or pierceablediaphragms o by closure plugs. As needed, if a particular water passagehas to be used for access to a respective water chamber, what is simplyneeded is to pierce the diaphragm that obstructs such water passage, orremove the diaphragm or the closure plug. Conversely, the irrelevantwater passages may be left closed as they are of no hindrance.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a base component 2 according to adifferent embodiment. Particularly, in this embodiment, there are eightremaining water chambers 15, which are located in pairs at each of thefour quadrants.

Concerning the removable components 3, it shall be noted that, in apreferred and advantageous embodiment, each of them is defined by twoparts joined together by a watertight mating form fit.

Namely, each removable component 3 comprises a rear body 8 and a frontbody 9, which are sealingly joined together by a mating form fit.

The rear body 8 of the removable component 3:

-   -   comprises said back wall 3 a having rear water passages 5 and    -   comprises a front housing 10 which receives an end portion 9 a        of the front body.

The front body 9 of the removable component 3 is a component selectedfrom the group comprising: a two- or more way diverter, a mixer, amechanical and/or motorized thermostatic mixer, a fluid shut-off valvemeans, a multiple-way regulator/diverter and a water delivery outletwith which a wash basin or tub spout, a shower head, a rinsing spray setmay be connected, and has said end portion 9 a of such a shape and sizeas to sealingly and matingly fit in said front housing 10 of the rearbody 8.

It should be noted that said end portion 9 a of the front body 9 haschannels for establishing fluid communication between said rear waterpassages 5 of the rear body 8 and the water passages and/or the chambersof the diverter, the mixer, the fluid shut-off valve means, themultiple-way regulator/diverter of the water delivery spout that formsthe front body 9 of the removable component.

Therefore, according to the above preferred embodiment, each removablecomponent 3 is divided into:

-   -   an unchanging rear body 8 adapted to interface with a base        component 2, namely with the front water passages 6 of its water        chambers 14, 15 and    -   a front body 9 that, while being able to have different        structural and/or functional characteristics (as a diverter, a        mixer, a fluid shut-off valve means, a multiple-way        regulator/diverter or a water delivery spout), is characterized        by the peculiarity of having an unchanging portion 9 a, which        allows sealing engagement with the housing 10 of a rear body 8,        while ensuring fluid communication.

According to the above embodiment, it will be appreciated that a mixer,a fluid shut-off valve means, a multiple-way regulator/diverter or awater delivery spout forms an element that, in spite of its ownstructural and/or functional peculiarity, can be easily associated influid communication with any base component 2 embedded in the wall.

This may be achieved because the rear body 8 acts as an interfaceelement for associating in fluid communication an element such as amixer, a fluid shut-off valve means, a multiple-way regulator/diverteror a water delivery spout to the water chambers of the box-like body ofthe base component 2 embedded in the wall.

It will be appreciated from the above that a plurality of the followingcomponents will be simply needed to make sanitary plumbing fixture forwater delivery:

-   -   support and centering structures 4 possibly cut to size as        needed;    -   base components 2, which will be differentiated by        piercing/removing from time to time the diaphragms/plugs that        obstruct water passages in the box-like body, according to the        water chambers that need to be accessed;    -   front bodies 9, which will differ according to whether a        diverter, a mixer, a fluid shut-off valve means, a multiple-way        regulator/diverter or a water delivery spout is needed, each        having a rear end 9 a, and sharing an identical end portion 9 a;    -   rear base bodies 8 for interfacing the rear end portion 9 a of        the front bodies 9 and the front water passages 6 of the front        wall 2 a of the box-like body of the removable components 2 and    -   connection pipes 12 for interfacing with the lateral water        passages 7 of the water chambers of the removable components 3.

FIGS. 1 and 7 and especially FIG. 9 show a few possible examples ofsanitary plumbing fixtures made from simple combinations of thesecomponents of the sectional modular system of the invention.

It will be appreciated from the above that a very small number ofdifferent components have to be manufactured and kept in stock,excepting the front bodies 9 which, apart from the rear end 9 a, arerequired to be formed through various types, as a diverter, a mixer, afluid shut-off valve means, a multiple-way regulator/diverter or a waterdelivery spout.

As an alternative to the above, the removable components 3 may be formedas single pieces, i.e. with the part that forms the mixer, the fluidshut-off valve means, the multiple-way regulator/diverter or the waterdelivery spout being equipped with the rear water passages 5 requiredfor interfacing with the front water passages 6 of the box-like body ofthe base components. This will provide the advantage of simplifying theset of components to be used, but will also affect stock flexibility, asthe removable body 3 will be designed as a particular watercontrol/delivery component.

The sectional modular system for making sanitary plumbing fixtures forwater delivery also comprises finishing boxes 11 that are designed to beplaced in the wall in semirecessed position where the various removablecomponents 3 jut out from the wall.

Preferably, for base components designed to be embedded in the wall 13in the wall (see FIG. 7), each fixing box comprises a tubular portion 11a designed to be embedded in the wall in such a position as to encircleand protect the portion of the removable component 3 that is embedded inthe wall, namely the rear body 8. The tubular body 11 a is open at bothopposed ends. The end of the finishing box 11 which is designed to jutout of the wall has a front opening from which a peripheral flange 11 b(see FIG. 8) juts out and covers a predetermined portion of the wallsurface in the area from which it projects.

Preferably, this opening of the tubular portion has a front plug, whichis designed to be removed or pierced to allow insertion of saidremovable component, once masonry or wall finishing works have beencompleted.

As clearly shown in the above description, the sectional modular systemfor making sanitary plumbing fixtures according to the present inventionfulfills the above mentioned need and also obviates prior art drawbacksas set out in the introduction of this disclosure. Namely, the sectionalmodular system for making sanitary plumbing fixtures according to theinvention affords:

-   -   a reduction of component manufacturing costs;    -   a reduction of the number of components to be manufactured and        kept in stock, particularly for all the sets with common        built-in, semirecessed or wall-mounted base components, which        will be assembled at the factory by the component manufacturer,        regardless of the expected right or left positioning or        finishing thereof;    -   maximum freedom in design and composition, in view of minimized        size and maximized combinability of components with variable        center-to-center distances, and with the use of identical water        control components and    -   the possibility of prearranging and selling aggregate        assemblies, to minimize the work on site and facilitate product        installation by plumbers.

The great flexibility of the sectional modular system of the inventionmay be conveniently utilized to make aggregate assemblies at thefactory, which are ready to be placed in the building frame in arecessed, semirecessed or externally mounted position, while allowingthe end installer to replace one or more removable parts with otherremovable parts. This is useful, for instance, to replace a set of tapsand fittings while leaving the building frame unaffected. Suchreplacement may occur by driving the screws or dowels that act upon thetubular joints.

Those skilled in the art will obviously appreciate that a number ofchanges and variants may be made to the sectional modular system formaking sanitary plumbing fixtures as described hereinbefore, withoutdeparture from the scope of the invention, as defined in the followingclaims.

1. A sectional modular system for making sanitary plumbing fixtures ofthe type comprising: one or more base components which are designed tobe placed in a wall in an embedded, semirecessed or externally mountedposition and to be put in fluid communication with each other and/orwith a water distribution line; at least one removable componentselected from the group comprising: a two- or more way diverter, amixer, a mechanical and/or motorized thermostatic mixer, a fluidshut-off valve means, a multiple-way regulator/diverter and a waterdelivery outlet with which a wash basin or tub spout, a shower head, arinsing spray set may be connected, and a support and centeringstructure designed to be mounted to said wall, for supporting two ormore base components to ensure proper placement and relative positionthereof, wherein: each removable component is associated in fluidcommunication with a respective base component; said base componentscomprise a body having a front wall which is designed to face toward theback wall of their respective removable component, a back wall oppositethereto, and side walls; each removable component comprises rear waterpassages at said back wall; the body of said base component is dividedinto a plurality of independent water chambers; the front wall of thebody of the base components is prearranged with front water passages,for putting a respective water chamber of the base component in fluidcommunication with a corresponding rear water passage of a removablecomponent, said plurality of independent water chambers comprises afirst water chamber and at least four remaining water chambers; eachwater chamber is prearranged to have at least two lateral water passagesat said side walls of the body of said base component.
 2. A sectionalmodular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first water chamberdivides the body of the base component into a plurality of portions,each having at least one of said remaining water chambers therein.
 3. Asectional modular system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first waterchamber is prearranged to have at least two opposed lateral waterpassages.
 4. A sectional modular system as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid first water chamber is prearranged to have at least two pairs ofopposed lateral water passages that divide the body of their respectivebase component into four quadrants, with at least one chamber of said atleast four remaining water chambers being located at each of them.
 5. Asectional modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at leastfour remaining water chambers are prearranged each to have at least twoorthogonal lateral water passages.
 6. A sectional modular system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein each water chamber is prearranged to have atleast one water passage at said back wall of the body of said basecomponent.
 7. A sectional modular system as claimed in claim 1, whereina plurality of said base components are in fluid communication with oneanother by connection pipes connecting the lateral water passages of thewater chambers of respective base components.
 8. A sectional modularsystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein each rear water passages of eachremovable component is in fluid communication with a respective frontwater passage of a water chamber of the respective base component bytubular connection joints using a seal.
 9. A sectional modular system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said lateral water passages of each basecomponent are coplanar.
 10. A sectional modular system as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said removable component comprises a rear body and afront body, which are sealingly joined together by a mating form fit,wherein: said rear body comprises said back wall having said rear waterpassages in fluid communication with a respective base component andsaid rear body comprises a front housing which receives an end portionof said front body, wherein: said front body of the removable componentis a component selected from the group comprising: a diverter, a mixer,a fluid shut-off valve means, a multiple-way regulator/diverter and awater delivery spout, said front body of the removable component issealingly engaged by mating form fit in said front housing of the rearbody and said end portion of the front body has channels for puttingsaid rear water passages of the rear body in fluid communication withthe water passages and/or the chambers of said component selected fromsaid group comprising: a diverter, a mixer, a fluid shut-off valvemeans, a multiple-way regulator/diverter and a water delivery spout. 11.A sectional modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more ofsaid water passages of said water chambers of the base component areclosed by removable or pierceable plugs and/or diaphragms.
 12. Asectional modular system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a finishingbox having: a tubular portion (11 a) which is designed to be embedded insaid wall to encircle the portion of said removable component that isembedded in said wall, a front opening and a removable or pierceablefront plug, which is located at the opening of said tubular portion ofsaid finishing box.
 13. A sectional modular system as claimed in claim12, wherein said finishing box comprises a front opening with aperipheral flange jutting out of it, and designed to cover the surfaceof the wall from which said removable component projects.
 14. A buildingframe comprising at least one support and centering structure, a basecomponent and a removable component of a sectional modular system formaking sanitary plumbing fixtures of the type comprising: one or morebase components which are designed to be placed in a wall in anembedded, semirecessed or externally mounted position and to be put influid communication with each other and/or with a water distributionline; at least one removable component selected from the groupcomprising: a two- or more way diverter, a mixer, a mechanical and/ormotorized thermostatic mixer, a fluid shut-off valve means, amultiple-way regulator/diverter and a water delivery outlet with which awash basin or tub spout, a shower head, a rinsing spray set may beconnected, and a support and centering structure designed to be mountedto said wall, for supporting two or more base components to ensureproper placement and relative position thereof, wherein: each removablecomponent is associated in fluid communication with a respective basecomponent; said base components comprise a body having a front wallwhich is designed to face toward the back wall of their respectiveremovable component, a back wall opposite thereto, and side walls; eachremovable component comprises rear water passages at said back wall; thebody of said base component is divided into a plurality of independentwater chambers; the front wall of the body of the base components isprearranged with front water passages, for putting a respective waterchamber of the base component in fluid communication with acorresponding rear water passage of a removable component, saidplurality of independent water chambers comprises a first water chamberand at least four remaining water chambers; each water chamber isprearranged to have at least two lateral water passages at said sidewalls of the body of said base component, wherein said support andcentering structure (4) and said base component (2) are located in saidbuilding frame in a built-in position, and said removable component (3)is located in such position as to allow handling or operation thereof bya user outside said building frame.
 15. A building frame as claimed inclaim 14, wherein said first water chamber divides the body of the basecomponent into a plurality of portions, each having at least one of saidremaining water chambers therein.
 16. A building frame as claimed inclaim 14, wherein said first water chamber is prearranged to have atleast two pairs of opposed lateral water passages that divide the bodyof their respective base component into four quadrants, with at leastone chamber of said at least four remaining water chambers being locatedat each of them.
 17. A building frame as claimed in claim 14, whereinsaid at least four remaining water chambers are prearranged each to haveat least two orthogonal lateral water passages.
 18. A building frame asclaimed in claim 14, wherein each water chamber is prearranged to haveat least one water passage at said back wall of the body of said basecomponent.
 19. A building frame as claimed in claim 14, wherein saidremovable component comprises a rear body and a front body, which aresealingly joined together by a mating form fit, wherein: said rear bodycomprises said back wall having said rear water passages in fluidcommunication with a respective base component and said rear bodycomprises a front housing which receives an end portion of said frontbody, wherein: said front body of the removable component is a componentselected from the group comprising: a diverter, a mixer, a fluidshut-off valve means, a multiple-way regulator/diverter and a waterdelivery spout, said front body of the removable component is sealinglyengaged by mating form fit in said front housing of the rear body andsaid end portion of the front body has channels for putting said rearwater passages of the rear body in fluid communication with the waterpassages and/or the chambers of said component selected from said groupcomprising: a diverter, a mixer, a fluid shut-off valve means, amultiple-way regulator/diverter and a water delivery spout.
 20. Asectional modular system as claimed in claim 14, comprising a finishingbox having: a tubular portion which is designed to be embedded in saidwall to encircle the portion of said removable component that isembedded in said wall, a front opening and a removable or pierceablefront plug, which is located at the opening of said tubular portion ofsaid finishing box, said finishing box comprises a front opening with aperipheral flange jutting out of it, and designed to cover the surfaceof the wall from which said removable component projects.